Engaging God’s Word Through Story

During our SIU Bridges oral Scripture engagement training events, our partners, their leaders, and the network of master trainers focus on and model the way our Lord Jesus taught when He walked this earth.

“Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.” (Matthew 13:34 NLT)

Jesus taught through stories, illustrations and parables for many reasons. One reason: stories connect deep into the heart and mind. This has been proven over time and continues to be proven today. Jesus is a Master Storyteller. SIU’s simple approach is based on his method and is modeled in our training. We have a great network of incredible, servant-hearted partners and leaders across Asia and Africa following our Lord’s teaching. Here are a couple of recent stories from India.

Story of a Woman Working in the Rice Fields

A lady who came to one of the SIU trainings in India was praying about how to use what she had learned in class. She wasn’t a pastor or a church planter; she was an ordinary lady who was about to do something extraordinary. She works in the rice fields planting and tending the rice paddies. It is long, hard work, and the women often sing songs to pass the time. This lady created songs with the words of Scripture. She sang them while she was working. She sang the stories of the Bible, often singing the exact words of Scripture. Soon, many women around her began singing the words of Scripture. They grew to love the stories from the Bible. Some have become believers. This hard-working lady found a practical way to bring the light of the gospel into her mission field. She is sowing seeds of the gospel and ministering to the ladies around her all day long.

Story of the Bank Manager

One man who attended SIU trainings in India was struggling to find time to go out and share the gospel. As he reflected on his situation, God showed him that he already had a captive audience, his bank employees. Equipped with the SIU storytelling tools, his bank became his mission field. Each day at lunch he told a story from the Bible. He didn’t preach or explain the story, but instead he talked with the people and asked good questions to help them understand and wrestle with the story and its impact on their lives. What transpired amazed him. Through that year, 30 of his employees believed in Jesus and were ready for baptism! His faithful perseverance, paired with a non-threatening approach allowed his employees to hear and understand the gospel. This led to a life-changing harvest in his local bank branch, further proving the power of the Word of God engaged through storytelling.

God’s Great Story

So, what Story from the Word of God are you engaging in right now?
The Lord has much to teach us through His living Word and His great Story. This has been his plan from the beginning of time to advance HIS Kingdom on earth in our day and beyond. Are you ready to engage His Word through Story?